RESEARCH at the University of Glamorgan could soon help sufferers of autism and social phobia take part in social situations that they usually find difficult and confusing.

RESEARCH at the University of Glamorgan could soon help sufferers of autism and social phobia take part in social situations that they usually find difficult and confusing.

The research has investigated using internet-compatible mobile phones to educate socially impaired individuals about what is being said to them during a conversation, so that they do not misinterpret its context or feel anxious about what someone is thinking about them.

Although the technology is still in its infancy, preliminary findings have shown that individuals with autism find it helps them understand the meaning behind common expressions, which they often interpret literally.

Postgraduate student Jonathan Bishop, who led the study, said the technology, which uses 3G mobile handsets, works by reading the facial expressions and tone of voice of the person being spoken to, and lets the person using the system know what they are feeling, something people with autism and social phobia sometimes find difficult to do.

The research is pending publication in the Journal of Computer Assisted Learning and is available for download athttp:www.jonathanbishop.com/research